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How to choose the best POS software for a firearms dealer in Australia or New Zealand

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The best POS software for a firearms dealer is built for licensed, serialised stock. It records purchaser and licence details at the sale, tracks every serial number from arrival to sale, runs gunsmith jobs, bills storage and memberships, and handles club pricing. It also comes with local support and no transaction fees. Use the checklist below to compare any system you’re considering.

Selling firearms means keeping records most retailers never deal with. One customer buys a box of cleaning patches. The next collects a rifle once the permit has come through, then books a scope fitting and pays for another month of safe storage. A basic till can process the sale. Keeping the records behind it is another matter.

Firearms dealers and gunsmiths have helped shape the firearms features in our software, and we’ve been making POS software for independent specialty retailers since 1981. The advice here comes from that work, and the checklist applies whichever system you end up choosing.

When a general POS is enough

If you sell outdoor clothing, knives and camping gear but no firearms or ammunition, a general retail POS may do the job and cost less.

That changes once you hold a dealer licence. Serial numbers, purchaser records, second-hand trade-ins, workshop jobs and storage rental all need accurate records. General systems leave that to paper registers and spreadsheets beside the till. That double handling is where errors creep in, and it’s what makes an audit stressful.

Ten things the best firearms dealer POS software should do

  1. Record purchaser details at the sale. Name, address and licence details should be captured during the transaction, so nothing is written up later. Ask to see where those details are stored and how quickly you can find them again.
  2. Track every serial number. Each firearm should be tracked by serial number from the day it arrives until the day it leaves, including second-hand stock and trade-ins. You should be able to search a serial number and see its full history in seconds.
  3. Check age at the counter. For age-restricted items, the system should stop the sale until the staff member confirms an age check. That protects a new casual on a busy Saturday as much as it protects you.
  4. Run the workshop. Gunsmith work needs job tracking from check-in to collection, technician scheduling and updates to the customer. Ask whether workshop management is included or charged as an extra.
  5. Bill storage and memberships automatically. Safe storage, locker space and membership fees are steady income, but only if they’re billed on time. Recurring billing built into the POS removes the monthly chase.
  6. Support local clubs. Club members are the core of most gun shops. Look for pricing profiles by customer type, so club members get their rate automatically and staff don’t have to remember it.
  7. Sell bundles and by measure. A starter kit with a bag, cleaning gear and hearing protection sells better at one price, and is harder to price-compare online. Bulk supplies should sell by weight or measure, in whole numbers or fractions, and apparel by colour, size and style.
  8. Cut the keying. Importing invoices from your distributors, including PDF invoices read by AI, saves hours of keying and reduces errors in costs and stock counts.
  9. Sell at field days and online. A mobile app lets you sell at shows and club events with stock kept in sync. If you sell accessories or clothing online, the POS should integrate with Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce or Magento.
  10. Report clearly. You need serial number and purchaser reports on demand, plus aged stock, best sellers, gross profit by category and reordering. Reports should be quick to run, or they won’t be used.

The costs that are easy to miss

A low monthly fee can hide a high total cost. Work out what each system would cost over two years, counting:

  • Transaction fees. Some POS providers take a percentage of every card sale. On a high-value firearm sale, that’s a noticeable amount.
  • Fees per terminal. A terminal in the workshop or at a second counter shouldn’t add to your bill.
  • Is phone support included? What hours does it run, and does it cover Saturdays?
  • Add-ons. Some providers charge extra for workshop management, recurring billing, loyalty, ecommerce or accounting links.
  • If you’re locked in, a poor choice is costly to reverse.

Tower Systems has no transaction fees and no lock-in contract. As at November 2026, plans start at $145 a month including GST, billed annually, and Standard and above include unlimited terminals at one location. Current prices, and the features in each plan, are on our pricing page.https://www.towersystems.com.au/pricing.html

Questions to ask in a demonstration

Ask the provider to run the demonstration using the kinds of transactions you handle. These questions will show quickly whether the system fits:

  1. Show me a rifle being received, sold and then found again by serial number.
  2. Show me where the purchaser and licence details are kept for that sale.
  3. Show me a second-hand trade-in coming into stock.
  4. Show me a gunsmith job from check-in to collection, with a message to the customer.
  5. Show me a monthly storage charge being billed automatically.
  6. What does support cost, and who answers the phone on a Saturday?
  7. Where is your support team located?
  8. What is the process for getting to speak to a human?
  9. Where is the person providing training located?
  10. Can I speak with a firearms dealer who uses your software?

Switching without disrupting trade

Changing systems is where many owners hesitate. With firearms, getting the records right matters more than getting it done fast. Plan for three things:

  • Data first. Before you sign, have your existing data reviewed so you know which serial numbers, purchaser records and customer details will come across. Tower Systems launched a streamlined data conversion service in mid 2026, drawing on many past conversions, and it’s fast and accurate.
  • Pick a quiet stretch, well clear of the hunting season or a big club event.
  • Look for one-on-one training and a video library staff can use any time. Together, they make that first busy weekend much easier.

Australia and New Zealand

Firearms rules differ between Australian states and territories, and between Australia and New Zealand. Software can capture and store the records, but your obligations are set by your local firearms registry. Confirm what you must record with them, then check the system can capture all of it. Tower Systems has help desk staff in both Australia and New Zealand. The help desk is open six days a week, with after-hours help if a system goes down.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best POS software for a firearms dealer in Australia?

It’s software built for licensed stock: recording purchaser and licence details, tracking serial numbers, running gunsmith jobs, billing storage and offering club pricing. Compare systems against those needs, the total cost over two years and the quality of local support.

Can POS software track firearm serial numbers?

Yes, if it’s built for it. Tower Systems tracks each firearm by serial number from arrival to sale, including second-hand stock, and records purchaser details, including name, address and licence, at the point of sale.

Does firearms POS software work in New Zealand?

Yes. Tower Systems supports firearms dealers on both sides of the Tasman, with help desk staff in each country. The New Zealand sales line is 0800 444 367.

How much does firearms dealer POS software cost?

Prices vary a lot between providers, so compare the two-year total, including transaction fees, terminal fees, support and add-ons. As at November 2026, Tower Systems plans start at $145 a month including GST, billed annually, with no transaction fees and no lock-in contract.

Book a firearms dealer demonstration

Book a demo: We’ll set Tower Systems up the way a firearms dealer works, answer your questions and record the session so you can watch it again later. Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand, or email sales@towersystems.com.au.

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